Our Governors

Both of my children have been educated at Hayesfield. I became a governor in May 2016 and have variously been a member of the Business and Learning committees, the specialist governor for Special Educational Needs (SEND) and part of the working group looking at partnership opportunities which led to Hayesfield joining Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership MAT. So as the incoming Chair I have a well-rounded experience of the school, it’s existing strengths, future opportunities and challenges in the context of education provision across Bath and beyond.

With over 30 years business experience including programme management, strategic consulting and marketing for a range of companies from fintech start-ups to global corporates, I hope my experience and expertise contributes to the future success of Hayesfield for the benefit of students, parents, staff and community stakeholders during challenging times for everyone and the school community in particular.

If you would like to contact me, you can do so by emailing the Headteacher’s PA: v.gibbens@hayesfield.com. I can also be contacted by post, to Hayesfield Girls’ School, Upper Oldfield Park, BA2 3LA. Please mark the envelope for my attention.

I have recently joined the Governing body at the start of 2022 as a parent Governor and have a daughter in Year 11. My background is in marketing and social media strategies for small companies in the Bath area after having a long career in London as PA to the CEO of a firm of Chartered Surveyors. I have also been the Marketing Manager of Drive-Tech Ltd based at the Castle Combe Circuit which involved sales, marketing and recruitment.

I have always had a keen interest in Governance as I was a Governor of my daughter’s primary school for 6 years. This was at the time they joined a large MAT so I am very aware of the process and what is required including the difficulties and benefits this might include.

I am very interested in getting to know the school in more detail and hope that my expertise assists the school in being the best it can.

My children are at Hayesfield and Beechen Cliff, and I became a governor at Hayesfield in May 2023.

I’m a fervent believer in strong public services for all. I’ve been a civil servant for over twenty years, working as a social researcher, statistician and policy official on crime, policing, prisons and, during the pandemic, health.

In September 2022, I joined the Department for Education as the head of the data and analysis unit for Regions Group. My role is to support regional directors and their teams in their work on schools, children’s social care, special educational needs and disabilities, and area-based programmes.

I hope that I can use my experience to support Hayesfield.

I have children at Hayesfield and Beechen Cliff schools, and have admired the approach to education and character building at both schools. In addition to my personal interest in Hayesfield and the surrounding community, I bring to the governing body substantial experience of working in education and government, with a particular focus on pathways through further and higher education. As a result, I have a particular interest in the school’s sixth form offer and its support for disadvantaged students.

I am currently Professor of Practice in Education Policy at the University of Birmingham, which involves conducting research, supervising students and providing advice to governments on equity in education, education systems and education policy. Prior to joining the University in 2022, I served as Director for Fair Access and Participation for England’s higher education regulator and Director of Policy for its funding council.

I am also a member of the Marshall Scholarships Commission, the British Council’s Education Advisory Committee and the Society for Research in Higher Education Board of Trustees.

I have been a Parent Governor since my daughter started at Hayesfield in 2014 and have really enjoyed seeing the School develop during my time as a governor. I have 30 years experience delivering major projects and change programmes across a number of industry sectors including telecoms, rail, automotive and transport. Most recently I have taken a role in the public sector delivering IT. I am currently Chair of the Business Committee.

I was delighted to join Hayesfield as a Governor in 2021. Through my role on the Quality of Education Committee I look forward to supporting the Senior Leadership Team and staff in continuing to provide an excellent educational experience for each and every student whether that be in the classroom or through the many and varied extra-curricular opportunities on offer. I believe strongly in the vision and values of the school, and chose Hayesfield for my own daughter for this reason.

I have worked for the NHS for the last 20 years in a variety of operational and strategic management roles, supporting short and long term planning, strategic developments and day to day delivery of services. I am a passionate advocate of partnership working and regularly seek opportunities to improve services further through bringing together individuals and organisations around common aims and ambitions. I hope to bring my experience in this to my role as a Governor, particularly as we move into a new future as part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership.

I studied Biochemistry at Bristol University, graduating in 1995. I qualified as a Science teacher in 1996 having spent a year on the PGCE course at Bristol University School of Education. I have been based in Bristol, Bath and surrounding areas for the rest of my career so far. I started in Patchway High School in North Bristol and then moved to Hayesfield in 2001 to take up the post of Head of Year.

I have worked in a number of roles at Hayesfield, joining the Senior Leadership Team in 2006. It was a tremendous honour to be given the opportunity to lead the school as Headteacher and I have been fulfilling the role formally since January 2022. I am passionate about providing the best opportunities for every student in our school and our commitment to character development combined with Academic Success really does mean every Hayesfield student has the opportunity to achieve their ambitions.

I became a governor at Hayesfield in September 2023. After over a decade in the classroom; working in a range of leadership roles, I now work for the educational charity Teach First. Within my current role I support trainee teachers and mentors within schools across the South West. This involves delivering training, developing curriculum, instructional coaching and carrying out lesson observations.

I am passionate about raising pupil aspirations; particularly through community outreach and high quality classroom teaching. Within my previous roles within education I have established mentor schemes, work experience initiatives, and speaker programs, and am able to combine this with my knowledge of the education sector to support Hayesfield in their continuing development.